FAA reducing

air traffic

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says it plans to reduce air traffic by 10% across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown.

The reduction stands to impact thousands of flights nationwide. Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1. With some calling out of work, staffing shortages during some shifts have led to flight delays at a number of U.S. airports.

Citing growing staffing pressures, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said Wednesday that the agency would not wait for a crisis to act. He says a list of the affected markets will be released sometime today.

Mamdani picks

transition team

NEW YORK (AP) — Fresh off his historic victory in New York City’s mayoral election, Zohran Mamdani named a slate of seasoned officials to help lead his transition to City Hall.

The announcement on Wednesday offered an early glimpse at how he intends to turn his ambitious campaign promises into reality. Mamdani, a democratic socialist, said he would build an administration that is “equal parts capable and compassionate.”

The transition team will include two former deputy mayors, a former Federal Trade Commission chair and the head of United Way of New York City, a nonprofit focused on low-income residents. A political strategist will serve as executive director of the team.

Judge scolds

prosecutors

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered prosecutors in the criminal case of former FBI Director James Comey to produce materials from the investigation, saying he’s concerned the Justice Department’s position had been to “indict first” and investigate second.

Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick in Virginia instructed prosecutors to produce by the end of Thursday grand jury materials and other evidence investigators seized during the investigation. The order followed arguments in which Comey’s attorneys said they were at a disadvantage because they’d not been able to review materials gathered years ago.

Comey is charged with lying to Congress in a case filed after President Donald Trump appeared to urge his attorney general to prosecute him. Comey has pleaded not guilty.